Method of attaching a sleeve to a pot

ABSTRACT

A plant package assembly, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having detaching elements at preselected areas, the sleeve further comprising a bonding material which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve, the sleeve being positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounding and encompassing the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/872,772 filedJun. 10, 1997, which will issue as U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,194 on Sep. 29,1998 and which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/701,818, filed Aug.23, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,103, which is a continuation of U.S.Ser. No. 08/220,852, filed Mar. 31, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,851.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to packaging materials, and, moreparticularly, packaging materials used to wrap flower pots containingfloral groupings and/or mediums containing floral groupings, and methodsof using same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plant package constructed inaccordance with the present invention, showing a sleeve having bothvertical and circumferential perforations therein, the circumferentialperforations dividing the sleeve into an upper portion and a lowerportion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pot having a growing medium therein, afloral grouping being disposed into the growing medium within the pot.

FIG. 3 is a transverse view of the plant package of FIG. 1, showing thesleeve having a bonding material connected to the inner surface of thesleeve, and a pot contained within the sleeve, the bonding materialconnecting the pot to the inner surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a transverse view of a the plant package of FIG. 1, showingthe sleeve having a bonding material connected to the outer surface of apot, the bonding material connecting the outer surface of the pot to theinner surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 5 is a transverse view of a the plant package of FIG. 1, showing asleeve having a bonding material connected to the inner surface and apot having a bonding material connected to the outer surface, bothbonding materials cooperating to connect the outer surface of the potand the inner surface of the sleeve together.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 1 showing asleeve having a detachable extension attached to a portion of the upperend of the sleeve, the extension having apertures therein.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 6 showing boththe sleeve and the extension, rods extending through the apertures inthe extension.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 1 but showinga partial detachment of the vertical perforations in the upper portionof the plant package.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 1 but showingthe upper portion of the sleeve being detached from the lower portionvia both the vertical perforations in the upper portion and thecircumferential perforations.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 1 but showingthe upper portion of the sleeve detached, the remaining lower portionforming a decorative plant cover.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package shown in FIG. 1, but showing a scalloped design formed bythe circumferential perforations.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a the plant package of FIG. 9, showingthe upper portion of the sleeve removed, and showing the remaining lowerportion forming a decorative plant cover.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified plant package, showing asleeve having a circumferential overlapping fold and a closed bottom.

FIG. 14 is a transverse view of the plant package of FIG. 13, butshowing the circumferential overlapping fold and the bonding materialconnecting at least a portion of the circumferential overlapping foldtogether.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 13, showingthe upper portion of the sleeve being detached from the lower portionvia both the vertical perforations in the upper portion andcircumferential perforations.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 13, butshowing the upper portion of the sleeve detached, and showing theremaining lower portion of the sleeve with a skirt attached to theopening, the skirt angle extending downward and outward.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 16, butshowing the skirt angle extending upwardly and outwardly.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package of FIGS. 11 and 12 but showing a scalloped design alongthe circumferential perforations, and showing a ribbon having a bow, theribbon extending around the sleeve.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 18, butshowing the upper portion of the sleeve being removed.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 18, butshowing the remaining lower portion forming a decorative plant coverwith a scalloped edge.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 20, butshowing the decorative plant cover crimped by the ribbon which extendsthereabout.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package shown in FIG. 1, but having the vertical perforationsextending through both the upper portion and the lower portion of thesleeve, and having two parallel circumferential perforations which forma ribbon appearance thereabout with a bow, and further having a seconddecorative plant cover enclosed within the sleeve.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 22, butshowing both the upper portion and the lower portion of the sleeve beingremoved, the ribbon and bow remaining disposed about the seconddecorative plant cover.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 22, butshowing both the upper portion and the lower portion of the sleeveremoved, the ribbon and bow remaining disposed about the seconddecorative plant cover.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 22, butshowing both the upper portion and the lower portion of the sleeveremoved, the remaining ribbon and bow extending about and crimping theremaining second decorative plant cover.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package shown in FIG. 22, but showing the vertical perforationsextending only through the upper portion and only one circumferentialperforation, the upper portion shown as partially detached from thelower portion.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 26, butshowing the upper portion removed, the lower portion forming adecorative plant cover having a bow with a ribbon extending thereabout.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package shown in FIG. 22, but showing a plurality of decorativeperforations defining a plurality of decorative sections in the upperportion, the upper portion having no vertical perforation, only a singlecircumferential perforation, the lower portion having a verticalperforation shown partially detached, and with one of the plurality ofdecorative perforations shown as partially detached as well.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 28, butshowing the lower portion removed, the upper portion having theplurality of decorative sections removed, forming a decoration in theupper portion having a ribbon and bow, and, along with the pot, togetherforming a decorative plant cover.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package of FIGS. 22-25, but showing a sleeve having only an upperportion and a ribbon and a pull bow having a pull portion attached tothe upper portion of the sleeve.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 30, butshowing the upper portion of the sleeve being removed, the pull portionof the pull bow acting to cause loops to be formed in the bow section.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 31, butshowing both the upper portion of the sleeve removed, the ribbonremaining disposed about the second decorative plant cover, the pullportion detached and the pull bow formed into a plurality of loops.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The Embodiments and Methods ofUse of FIGS. 1-10

Shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein by the general reference numeral10 is a plant package. The plant package 10 comprises a sleeve 12 whichis generally tubular in shape. The sleeve 12 has a first end 14, asecond end 16, an outer periphery 18 forming an outer surface 20, and anopening 22, intersecting both the first end 14 and the second end 16,forming an inner surface 24 and is defined by an inner periphery 26 andproviding a retaining space 27 therein. In some embodiments (shown inFIGS. 13-18, and discussed in detail below), the second end 16 isclosed, forming a closed base, and the opening 18 only intersects thefirst end 12 of the plant package 10. Equipment and devices for formingsleeves are commercially available, and well known in the art.

The plant package 10 may also contain a pot 30 (FIG. 2). The pot has anupper end 32, a lower end 34, and an outer periphery 36 forming an outersurface 38. An opening 40 intersects the upper end 32, forming an innersurface 42 and is defined by an inner periphery 44. The lower end 34 ofthe pot 30 is closed, therefore a pot retaining space 45 is formed andis defined by the inner surface 42 and closed lower end 34. The term"pot" refers to any type of container used for holding a floral groupingor a potted plant. Examples of pots, used in accordance with the presentinvention include, but not by way of limitation, clay pots, wooden pots,plastic pots, and the like. The pot 30 is adapted to receive a floralgrouping 46 in the pot retaining space 45.

The plant package 10 also comprises a floral grouping 46 (FIG. 2). Thefloral grouping 46 may be disposed in the opening 40 in the pot 30, inthe pot retaining space 45 along with suitable growing medium 47, whichwill be described in further detail below, or other retaining medium,such as but not by way of limitation, a floral foam. It will also beunderstood that the floral grouping 46, and any appropriate growingmedium 47 or other retaining medium may be disposed in the plant package10 without a pot 30. The term "floral grouping" as used herein means cutfresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower or other fresh and/orartificial plants or other floral materials and may include othersecondary plants and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materialswhich add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping 46. Thefloral grouping 46 comprises a bloom or foliage portion 48 and a stemportion 50. Further, the floral grouping 46 may comprise a growingpotted plant having a root portion (not shown) as well. However, it willbe appreciated that the floral grouping 46 may consist of only a singlebloom or only foliage, or a botanical item (not shown), or a propagule(not shown). The term "floral grouping" may be used interchangeablyherein with both the terms "floral arrangement" and "potted plant". Theterm "floral grouping" may also be used interchangeably herein with theterms "botanical item" and/or "propagule."

The term "growing medium" when used herein means any liquid, solid orgaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation ofpropagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil,humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients,fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by the plantsor propagules for growth.

The term "botanical item" when used herein means a natural or artificialherbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term"botanical item" also means any portion or portions of natural orartificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers,blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination,or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet or floral grouping.

The term "propagule" when used herein means any structure capable ofbeing propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds,shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores.

A bonding material 54 (FIGS. 3-5) may be disposed on at least a portionof the inner surface 24 of the sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 3, or,alternatively, the bonding material 54 may be disposed on the outersurface 38 of a pot 30 contained within the sleeve 12, as illustrated inFIG. 4, while the sleeve 12 may be free of the bonding material 54. In afurther alternative, the bonding material 54 may be disposed both on atleast a portion of the pot 30 as well as upon at least a portion of theinner surface 24 of the sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, aportion of the bonding material 54 may also be disposed on the outersurface 20 of the sleeve 12 as well (not shown). It will be understoodthat the bonding material 54 may be disposed in a solid section ofbonding material 54, as shown in FIG. 3 for example. The bondingmaterial 54 may also be disposed upon either the outer surface 20 or theinner surface 24 of the sleeve 12, as well as upon the pot 30. Further,the bonding material 54 may be disposed in strips of bonding material54, spots of bonding material 54, or in any other geometric,non-geometric, asymmetric, or fanciful form, and in any patternincluding covering either the entire surface of the sleeve 12 and/or thepot 30. The bonding material 54 is disposed on the sleeve 12 and/or pot30 by any means known in the art.

The sleeve 12 is generally tubularly shaped, but the sleeve 12 may be,by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical,frusto-conical, or a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical(not shown). Further, as long as a generally tubular shape is maintainedin at least a portion of the sleeve 12, any shape, whether geometric,non-geometric, asymmetrical and/or fanciful may be utilized. The sleeve12 may also be equipped with drains or ventilation holes (not shown), orcan be made from permeable or impermeable materials.

The sleeve 12 has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mils to about 30mils. Often, the thickness of the sleeve 12 is in a range from about 0.5mils to about 10 mils. Preferably, the sleeve 12 has a thickness in arange from about 0.1 mils to about 5 mils. The sleeve 12 is constructedof a material 56 which is flexible.

The sleeve 12 may be constructed of a single layer of material 56 or aplurality of layers of the same or different types of materials 56. Anythickness of the material 56 may be utilized in accordance with thepresent invention as long as the material 56 is wrappable about anobject, such as a floral grouping 46 or pot 30, as described herein. Thelayers of material 56 comprising the sleeve 12 may be connected togetheror laminated or may be separate layers. Materials 56 used to constructthe sleeve 12 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637 entitled "MethodFor Wrapping A Floral Grouping" issued to Weder et al., on May 12, 1992,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As noted earlier, a bonding material 54 may be disposed on at least aportion of at least one surface of the sleeve 12. The bonding material54 may be applied as a strip or as spots or other shapes, as describedabove. One method for disposing a bonding material 54, in this case anadhesive, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637 entitled "Method ForWrapping A Floral Grouping" issued to Weder et al., on May 12, 1992,which has been incorporated by reference above.

The term "bonding material or means" when used herein means an adhesive,frequently a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where thebonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must beplaced on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondinglyengaging with the cohesive material. The term "bonding material ormeans" also includes materials which are heat sealable and, in thisinstance, the adjacent portions of the material must be brought intocontact and then heat must be applied to effect the seal. The term"bonding material or means" also includes materials which are sonicsealable and vibratory sealable. The term "bonding material or means"when used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer or hot melt materialwhich may be applied to the material and, in this instance, heat, soundwaves, or vibrations, also must be applied to effect the sealing.

The term "bonding material or means" when used herein also means anytype of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding orconnecting of the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet ofmaterial to effect the connection or bonding described herein. The term"bonding material or means" also includes ties, labels, bands, ribbons,strings, tapes (including single or double-sided adhesive tapes),staples or combinations thereof. Some of the bonding materials wouldsecure the ends of the material while other bonding material may bindthe circumference of a wrapper, or a sleeve, or, alternatively and/or inaddition, the bonding materials would secure overlapping folds in thematerial and/or sleeve. Another way to secure the wrapping and/or sleeveis to heat seal the ends of the material to another portion of thematerial. One way to do this is to contact the ends with an iron ofsufficient heat to heat seal the material.

Alternatively, a cold seal using a cold seal adhesive is utilized uponthe material to form a sleeve. The term "bonding material or means"includes this cold seal adhesive. The cold seal adhesive adheres only toa similar substrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only toitself. The cold seal adhesive, since it adheres (or coheres) only to asimilar substrate, does not cause a residue to build up on equipment,thereby permitting much more rapid disposition and use to form articles.A cold seal adhesive differs also from, for example, a pressuresensitive adhesive, in that a cold seal adhesive is not readilyreleasable.

The term "bonding material or means" when used herein also means anyheat or chemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or otherelectrical means, chemical welding means, magnetic means, mechanical orbarb-type fastening means or clamps, curl-type characteristics of thefilm or materials incorporated in material which can cause the materialto take on certain shapes, cling films, slots, grooves, shrinkablematerials and bands, curl materials, springs, and any type of weldingmethod which may weld portions of the material to itself or to the pot,or to both the material itself and the pot.

The sleeve 12 may be constructed of a single layer of material 56 or aplurality of layers of the same or different types of materials 56. Anythickness of layer of material 56 may be utilized in accordance with thepresent invention as long as the sleeve 12 may be formed into at least aportion of a sleeve 12, as described herein, and as long as the formedsleeve 12 may contain at least a portion of a pot 30 or a floralgrouping 46, as described herein. Additionally, an insulating materialsuch as bubble film, preferable as one of two or more layers, can beutilized in order to provide additional protection for the item, such asthe floral grouping 46, contained therein.

In one embodiment, the sleeve 12 may be constructed from twopolypropylene films. The layers of material 56 comprising the sleeve 12may be connected together or laminated or may be separate layers. In analternative embodiment, the sleeve 12 may be constructed from only oneof the polypropylene films.

The sleeve 12 may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from a clingmaterial. "Cling Wrap or Material" when used herein means any materialwhich is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itselfupon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappableabout an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engageand connect to other portions of another material, or, alternatively,itself, for generally securing the material 56 wrapped about at least aportion of the pot 30. This connecting engagement is preferablytemporary in that the material 56 may be easily removed, i.e., the clingmaterial "clings" to the pot 30.

The cling material is constructed and treated if necessary, frompolyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation,Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, dependupon the size of sleeve and pot 30 in the plant package 10, i.e.,generally, the larger pot 30 therefore may require a thicker andtherefore stronger cling material. The cling material will range inthickness from less than about 0.1 mils to about 10 mils, and preferablyless than about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils and most preferably from lessthan about 0.6 mils to about 2 mils. However, any thickness of clingmaterial may be utilized in accordance with the present invention whichpermits the cling material to function as described herein.

The sleeve 12 is constructed from any suitable material 56 (saidmaterial 56 shown only in the form of a sleeve 12, but the material 56having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery) thatis capable of being wrapped about a pot 30 or a floral grouping 46, andformed into a plant package 10 as described herein. Preferably, thematerial 56 comprises paper (untreated or treated in any manner),cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, fabric (woven ornonwoven or synthetic or natural), cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, orlaminations or combinations thereof.

The term "polymer film" means a man-made polymer such as a polypropyleneor a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A polymer film isrelatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantiallynon-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.

The material 56 comprising the sleeve 12 may vary in color. Further, thematerial 56 comprising the sleeve 12 may consist of designs ordecorative patterns which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereonusing inks or other printing materials. An example of an ink which maybe applied to the surface of the material 56 is described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,147,706 entitled "Water Based Ink On Foil And/Or Synthetic OrganicPolymer" issued to Kingman on Sep. 15, 1992 and which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the material 56 may have various colorings, coatings,flocking and/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surfaceornamentation applied separately or simultaneously or may becharacterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent,transparent, iridescent or the like, qualities. Each of the above-namedcharacteristics may occur alone or in combination and may be applied tothe upper and/or lower surface of the material 56 comprising the sleeve12. Moreover, each surface of the material 56 used in constructing thesleeve 12 may vary in the combination of such characteristics. Thematerial 56 utilized for the sleeve 12 itself may be opaque,translucent, transparent, or partially clear or tinted transparent.

The sleeve 12 may further comprise an extension 58, as shown in FIGS. 6and 7. The extension 58 has a plurality of perforations 60 (theplurality of perforation designated generally by the numeral 60) in thesleeve 12 near the first end 14. The extension 60 has one or moreapertures 62 (only one aperture designated by the numeral 62) disposedtherein. The apertures 62 permit the sleeve 12, or a complete plantpackage 10, to be placed on a rod or a set of rods 64, also known aswickets, (only one of the set of rods referred to herein by the numeral64) for shipment, storage, assembly of the plant package 10, or otherfunction known in the art.

The sleeve 12 further has an upper portion 66 and a lower portion 68(FIGS. 1 and 3-9). The sleeve 12 also has detaching elements inpreselected areas. "Detaching element," as used herein, means anyelement, or combination of elements, or features, such as, but not byway of limitation, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any otherdevices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any combinationthereof. Therefore, while perforations are shown and described in detailherein, it will be understood that tear strips, zippers, or any other"detaching elements" known in the art, or any combination thereof, couldbe substituted therefor and/or used therewith. A plurality of generallycircumferential perforations 70 (designated generally herein by thenumeral 70) are disposed circumferentially about the sleeve 12 anddivide the upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12 from the lower portion 68of the sleeve 12. The upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12 has a pluralityof vertical perforations 72 (designated generally herein by the numeral72) which are disposed in a vertical line in the upper portion 66 of thesleeve, generally in a vertical line extending between thecircumferential perforations 70 and the first end 14 of the sleeve 12.The upper portion 66 is separable from the lower portion 68 by tearingthe upper portion 66 along both the vertical perforations 72 and thecircumferential perforations 70, thereby detaching the upper portion 66of the sleeve 12 from the lower portion 68 of the sleeve 12. Theremaining lower portion 68 of the sleeve 12 remains disposed about thepot 30 and/or the floral grouping 46, (that is, the growing medium 47)forming a decorative plant cover 74 which substantially surrounds andencompasses the pot 30 or the growing medium 47 or other retainingmedium (not shown) in which a floral grouping 46 is disposed.

It will be understood that the decorative plant cover 74, and the seconddecorative cover described in detail below may comprise all of thecharacteristics of the pot 30. That is, the decorative plant cover 74(or the second decorative cover) may comprise both the decorativecharacteristics of a decorative cover, as well as the structuralcharacteristics (not shown), namely, the decorative plant cover 74 (andthe second decorative cover, described in detail below) have an upperend 32', a lower end 34', and an outer periphery 36' forming an outersurface 38'. An opening 40' intersects the upper end 32', forming aninner surface 42' and is defined by an inner periphery 44'. The lowerend 34' of the decorative plant cover 74 is sometimes formed closed,therefore a retaining space 45' is formed and is defined by the innersurface 42' and the lower end 34'.

In a general method of use (FIGS. 1-2 and 8-10), an operator provides asleeve 12, and a pot 30 having a floral grouping 46 disposed in agrowing medium 47 contained within the pot 30. The operator thendisposes the pot 30 having the floral grouping 46 therein into thesleeve 12 by opening the sleeve 12 at the first end 14 and assuring boththat the opening 22 therein is in an open condition, and that the innerperiphery 26 of the sleeve 12 is somewhat expanded outward as well, asshown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8-10. The operator then disposes the pot 30having the floral grouping 46 therein into the opening 22 in the sleeve12 (not shown), the pot 30 being disposed generally through the upperportion 66 of the sleeve 12 into generally the lower portion 68 of thesleeve 12, the pot 30 remaining in the lower portion 68 of the sleeve12, permitting the sleeve 12 to substantially surround and tightlyencompass the pot 30. It will be understood that alternatively, thesleeve 12 with an extension 58, as shown schematically in FIGS. 6-7, maybe utilized, the sleeve 12 being disposed on rods, or wickets, 64 (onlyone red/wicket being designated 64), and the pot 30 then being disposedin the sleeve 12 either before or after the rods 64 are disposed throughthe extension 58 of the sleeve 12.

Alternatively, the pot 30 could be placed on a support device such as apedestal (not shown) and the sleeve 12, disposed underneath or astridethe pot 30, could be pulled toward and over the pot 30 so as tosubstantially surround the pot 30 or at least a portion of the outersurface 38 of the pot 30. The bonding material disposed on the pot 30,the sleeve 12, or both could then serve to connect the sleeve 12 to thepot.

The floral grouping 46 extends from the growing medium 47 in the potretaining space 45 (FIG. 2) into the upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12(FIG. 8), the material 56 having sufficient flexibility but alsosufficient rigidity to both remain in and sustain its generally tubularor frusto-conical shape, thereby substantially surrounding andencompassing the floral grouping 46, particularly the stem portion 50and the bloom portion 48 of the floral grouping 46. When the pot 30 isdisposed adjacent the inner surface 24 of the sleeve 12, in the lowerportion 68 of the sleeve 12, the bonding material 54 disposed on theinner surface 24 of the sleeve 12 and/or the outer surface 38 of the pot30 connects the sleeve 12 and the pot 30 together, thereby securelybonding the sleeve 12 to the pot 30, and/or the pot 30 to the sleeve 12,depending upon the disposition of the bonding material 54, as shown inFIGS. 3-5 and described in detail previously.

To remove the upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12, by example, but not byway of limitation, the operator generally grasps the sleeve 12 near thevertical perforations 72 and pulls one side of the upper portion 66 ofthe sleeve 12 away from the line of vertical perforations 72 anddownward, thereby causing the sleeve 12 to tear away along the verticalperforations 72, as shown in FIGS. 8-9. When the sleeve 12 has separatedalong the vertical perforations 72 to the circumferential perforations70, the operator then pulls the sleeve 12 circumferentially about thepot 30, as illustrated in FIG. 9, thereby causing the sleeve 12 to tearor separate along the line of circumferential perforations 70. The upperportion 66 of the sleeve 12 is then discarded, leaving the lower portion68 of the sleeve 12 which forms the decorative plant cover 74 disposedabout the pot 30, and which is at least partially bondingly connected tothe pot 30 (FIG. 10). The lower portion of the sleeve 12 which remainson the pot 30 may be equipped with a reservoir (not shown) to containwater, nutrients, preservatives, and/or hormones for nourishing theplant and/or floral grouping 46 after the sleeve portion has beenremoved.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 11-12

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. The plant package 10a illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method are constructed exactly the same as the plantpackage 10 and sleeve 12 shown in FIGS. 1-10, and described in detailpreviously, except that the sleeve 12a is constructed so that thecircumferential perforations 70a form a decorative design, namely, ascalloped design, as shown in FIGS. 11-12.

When the upper portion 66a of the sleeve 12a is removed by any methoddescribed herein or known in the art, the remaining lower portion 68a ofthe sleeve 12a forms a decorative plant cover 74a. It will beappreciated that the circumferential perforations 70a may form anydecorative design, or combination of decorative designs. It will also beappreciated that additional decorative designs, created by the verticalperforations 72a and/or the circumferential perforations 70a, willsuggest themselves when the plant package 10a is utilized by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 13-17

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. The plant package 10b illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method are constructed exactly the same as the plantpackage 10 and sleeve 12 shown in FIGS. 1-10 and described in detailpreviously, except that the sleeve 12b is constructed from a sheet ofmaterial 76 (not shown), such construction providing a sleeve 12 asdescribed previously, except that the sleeve 12b has a modified secondend 16 which is closed, thereby forming a base 28. (Such a sheet ofmaterial 76 is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,638entitled "Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping" issued to Weder et al.,on May 12, 1992, which has been previously incorporated by referenceherein.) In addition, the sleeve 12b formed from the sheet of material76 has a plurality of overlapping folds 77, (only one of the pluralityof overlapping folds designated by the numeral 77) which are formed bythe use of a bonding material 54b on the material 56b forming the sleeve12b, by the use of heat shrinkable material known in the art andcommercially available, or by any device or mechanical means which formssheet material into such a shape. Such mechanical means are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, entitled, "Article Forming System," U.S. Pat.No. 4,897,031, entitled, "Article Forming System," U.S. Pat. No.5,208,027, entitled "Article Forming System," and U.S. Ser. No.08/001,001, entitled "Covering for Flower Pot and Floral Grouping,"allowed on Nov. 9, 1993, issue fee paid Jan. 31, 1994, all of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein.

Alternatively, gussets (not shown) are formed in the sheet of material76 which permit the sheet of material 76 to be folded along the gussetsand formed into the shape of the sleeve 12b, similar to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 13-17. Methods and means of forming gussets in sheetmaterial, and folding sheet material, are known to those having ordinaryskill in the art.

The sleeve 12b also differs from the sleeve 12, because the sleeve 12bhas a circumferential overlapping fold 78 which extendscircumferentially about the sleeve 12a, as shown in FIGS. 13-15. In thisembodiment, a bonding material 54b is disposed generally both above andnear the circumferential perforations 70b and below and near thecircumferential perforations 70b. The bonding material 54b extends aboutthe sleeve 12b in generally parallel alignment with the circumferentialperforations 70b. The circumferential overlapping fold 78 is formed inthis area. That is, a portion of the outer surface 20b of the sleeve 12bextending circumferentially around the sleeve 12b, near thecircumferential perforations 70b, is folded under by tucking a portionof the outer surface 20b of the sleeve 12b (near the line ofcircumferential perforations 70a) under, thereby causing a portion ofthe inner surface 24b of the sleeve 12b to lie adjacent another portionof the inner surface 24b of the sleeve 12b (or, as shown schematicallyin FIG. 14), creating a first fold 80. This first fold 80 causes a firstportion 82 of the outer surface 20b of the sleeve 12b having bondingmaterial 54b thereon to overlap and lie adjacent a second portion 84 ofthe outer surface 20b of the sleeve 12b, the second portion 84 of theouter surface 20b also having a bonding material 54b thereon. The firstportion 82 contacts the second portion 84 and the first and secondportions 82 and 84 respectively, are bondingly connected, as shownschematically in FIG. 14. (It will be appreciated that the connectionbetween the first portion 82 and the second portion 84 will likely bemuch closer than the connection schematically shown in FIG. 14). In thismanner, the three-layer circumferential overlapping fold 78 is createdin the sleeve 12b. The circumferential fold 78 remains in place untilthe upper portion 66b of the sleeve 12b is removed as described herein.

In a general method of use, when the upper portion 66b of the sleeve 12bis removed (FIG. 15) as shown and described in detail previously herein,the remaining portion of the circumferential overlapping fold 78 forms askirt 86 which extends about, and outwardly from, the opening 88 on thelower portion 68b, in the resulting decorative plant cover 74b as shownin FIGS. 16 and 17. The position of the skirt 86 may be altered by anoperator releasing the bonding material 54b connecting both the firstportion 82 and the second portion 84 of the outer surface 20b of thesleeve 12b from its bonded position. The skirt 86 may be formed so as toturn upwardly, inwardly, horizontally (upward or inward), downwardly,vertically (either upward or downward) or in any combination thereof, orin any obtuse or arbitrary angle or combination thereof.

An operator simply pulls the first portion 82 away from the secondportion 84. Then, the skirt 86 may be arranged at different angles, suchas the angle shown in FIG. 16, with the skirt 86 extending downwardlyand outwardly, or such as the angle shown in FIG. 17, showing the skirt86 extending upwardly and outwardly. It will be appreciated that avariety of skirt angles may be created, such as, but not by way oflimitation, a horizontally extending skirt 86, or an upwardly andinwardly extending skirt 86.

It will further be understood, by one having ordinary skill in the art,that the circumferential overlapping fold 78 permits the formation ofsuch a skirt 86 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, that is, a skirt 86 whichhas a flare, and which is capable of being flared either outward, asillustrated, or inward (not shown). Further, the circumferentialoverlapping fold 78 protects the skirt 86 from being crushed or damagedbefore the upper portion 66b of the sleeve 12b is removed. Then, oncethe upper portion 66b is removed as described above, the operator mayflare the skirt 86 as desired. It will be further appreciated that thecircumferential overlapping fold 78 may overlap inward, toward thefloral grouping 46b, rather than outward, as presently shown in FIGS.13-15. Or, in a further alternative, a skirt 86 may be formed withoutany circumferential overlapping fold 78.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 18-21

FIGS. 18-21 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. The plant package 10c illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method are constructed exactly the same as the plantpackage 10 and sleeve 12 shown in FIGS. 1-10 and described in detailpreviously, except that the sleeve 12c has printed thereupon both aribbon 90 pattern and a bow 92 pattern, said ribbon 90 pattern whichextends about the outer periphery 18c of the sleeve 12c, in the lowerportion 68c of the sleeve 12c. Alternatively, an actual bow 92 may beattached to the ribbon 90 via a bonding material 54c, rather than beingprinted upon the sleeve 12c as a bow pattern.

In a method of use, the upper portion 66c of the sleeve 12c is removedby any method described herein. The resulting decorative plant cover74c, as shown in FIG. 20, has the appearance of having a ribbon 90wrapped about and encircling the decorative plant cover 74c, (only thelower portion 68c of the sleeve 12c being shown), the ribbon 90 which isdecoratively tied into a bow 92 (or alternatively a bow 92 beingattached to the ribbon 90).

FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment and method of use of the presentinvention. The sleeve 12c has an actual ribbon 90 which extendscircumferentially around the outer periphery 18c of the sleeve 12c inthe lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12c, and an actual bow 92 which isattached to the ribbon 90 (or, alternatively, to the sleeve 12c, notshown). The ribbon 90 and bow 92 are connected to the sleeve 12c via abonding material 54 (not shown). The ribbon 90 and/or bow 92 compriseany material 56c described herein or known in the art.

In a method of use, the ribbon 90 is connected to the sleeve 12c via thebonding material 54c in a manner which crimps the sleeve 12c somewhat inand near the ribbon 90. Crimping sheet material is well known in theart. For example, the ribbon 90 may comprise a heat shrinkable material(known in the art and commercially available), and the ribbon 90 may beplaced in a condition to crimp the lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12cby exposing the ribbon 90 (either before or after the upper portion 66cof the sleeve 12c is removed) to a heat source sufficient to cause theribbon 90 to shrink and thereby crimp the lower portion 68c of thesleeve 12c (such heat sources are known in the art and commerciallyavailable, such as, but not by way of limitation, a heat gun which blowsheated air). The upper portion 66c of the sleeve 12c is removed by anymeans described herein, leaving the lower portion 68c forming adecorative plant cover 74c having a ribbon 90 which crimps the plantcover 74c about the pot 30c or the floral grouping 46c (or growingmedium 47c), the ribbon 90 being tied into a bow 92, or a separate bow92 being connected in any manner described herein to the ribbon 90and/or the plant cover 74c. It will be appreciated that the ribbon 90and/or bow 92 may be connected at any level of the pot 30c, or above thepot 30c, thereby crimping the plant cover 74c inward in a diametersmaller than the upper diameter of the upper end 32c of the pot 30c, or,alternatively, connecting the ribbon 90 and/or bow 92 at any level ofthe plant cover 74c which encompasses the pot 30c. Alternatively, theribbon 90 and/or bow 92 is connected to the sleeve 12c without crimping,as shown in FIG. 20 and described previously.

After a pot 30c has been disposed in the sleeve 12c, by any methoddescribed herein, a crimped portion 94 is formed by the ribbon 90, thecrimped portion 94 causing adjacent portions of the inner surface 24cand/or outer surface 20c of the lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12c tocome together, the bonding material 54c on the ribbon 90c and/or sleeve12c causing adjacent portions to be bonded together for forming thecrimped portion 94. Crimping may be accomplished by hand or with adevice or a machine as may be desired in a particular application. Thecrimped portion 94 may comprise only adjacent portions of the lowerportion 68c of the sleeve 12c, or, alternatively, the crimped portion 94of the lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12c may engage a portion of thepot 30c, the pot 30c having a bonding material 54c on the outer surface38c thereof, the bonding material 54c on the pot 30c creating a crimpedportion 94. Alternatively, any combination of the lower portion 68c ofthe sleeve 12c and/or the outer surface 38c of the pot 30c and/or theribbon 90 which extends about the lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12cmay create a crimped portion 94 of the lower portion of the sleeve, byhand or by any device or mechanical means known in the art. The crimpedportion 94 engages a portion of the pot 30c for cooperating to maintainthe lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12c assembled about and/or connectedto the pot 30c.

The crimped portion 94 (FIG. 21) preferably extends circumferentiallyabout the outer surface 38c of the pot 30c and/or floral grouping 46c(that is, primarily, the growing medium 47c). In some applications, itmay be desirable to form the crimped portion 94 only at certainpositions spaced circumferentially about the lower portion 68c of thesleeve 12c. Methods of crimping as also shown in copending applicationsU.S. Ser. No. 07/926,098, filed Aug. 5, 1992, entitled "Method andApparatus For Forming a Decorative Cover"; U.S. Ser. No. 07/940,930,filed Sep. 4, 1992, entitled, "Flower Pot Cover With Crimped Portion";and U.S. Ser. No. 095,331, filed Jul. 21, 1993, entitled, "Method ForCrimping A Wrapper About a Floral Grouping", all of which are herebyspecifically incorporated by reference herein.

In a further alternative, the sleeve 12c is constructed with more thanone material 56c, so that the ribbon 90 portion forms an integral partof the sleeve 12c, but the ribbon 90c further comprises a material 56cdifferent from the material 56c of the remainder of the sleeve 12c, suchas but not by way of limitation, heat shrinkable material, as describedpreviously. Such ribbon 90 may be shrunk to cause a crimping conditionof a portion of the plant cover 74c (FIG. 21), as described above, ormay remain unshrunk, as shown in FIG. 20. It will be appreciated thatthe sleeve 12c may also be formed with a closed bottom, as shown anddescribed in detail herein previously.

Further, it will be appreciated that any ribbon 90 shown and/ordescribed herein may comprise a band. The term "band" when used hereinmeans any material which may be secured about an object such as a pot,or a sleeve, such bands commonly being referred to as elastic bands,rubber bands or non-elastic bands and also includes any other type ofmaterial such as an elastic or non-elastic string or elastic piece ofmaterial, non-elastic piece of material, a round piece of material, aflat piece of material, a ribbon, a piece of paper strip, a piece ofplastic strip, a piece of wire, a tie wrap or a twist tie orcombinations thereof or any other device capable of gathering materialto removably or substantially permanently form a crimped portion andsecure the crimped portion formed in the material which may be securedabout an object such as the pot. The band also may include a bow 92 ifdesired in a particular application.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve 12c may befree of a ribbon and bow pattern or of a ribbon and bow and thus inappearance may be similar to sleeve 12 indicated in FIG. 1, however thelower portion of the sleeve which surrounds the outer surface of the potmay be formable into a plant cover having a plurality of overlappingfolds formed in a random or predetermined arrangement and style (notshown). In this embodiment, after the pot has been disposed into theretaining space 27c of the sleeve 12c, the lower portion 68c of thesleeve 12c is formed manually or automatically into a plurality ofoverlapping folds 72c (not shown) or pleats (not shown) thus giving thelower portion 68c of the sleeve 12c the appearance of a decorative cover74c formed about the pot 30c. In other words, the lower portion 68c ofthe sleeve 12c is formed into a cover 74c with overlapping folds 77c ina manner similar to that described above when the sleeve 12c is crimpedabout the outer surface 38c of the pot 30c. The overlapping portions ofthe folds 77c may be connected by a bonding material 54c such as anadhesive or cohesive disposed upon the outer surface 20c of the sleeve12c. Or, the overlapping portions of the folds 77c may be connected witha bonding material 54c such as an adhesive or cohesive applied to theinner surface 24c of the sleeve 12c. Alternatively, the bonding material54c may be on the outer surface 38c of the pot 30c for causing portionof the sleeve 12c to bond to the pot outer surface 38c. Alternatively,the bonding material 54c may be disposed both on the outer surface 38cof the pot 30c and on the inner surface 24c or outer surface 20c of thesleeve 12c. Alternatively, the bonding material 54c may be disposed onboth the inner surface 24c and outer surface 20c of the sleeve 12c butnot on the outer surface 38c of the pot 30c. Alternatively, the bondingmaterial 54c may be on both the inner and outer surfaces 24c and 20c,respectively, of the sleeve 12c and on the outer surface 30c of the pot30c.

Another method in which overlapping folds 77c may be formed in the lowerportion 68c of the sleeve 12c in the lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12cis showing in the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.07/927,891, entitled "Cover Forming Apparatus Having Pivoting FormingMembers" filed on Aug. 10, 1992 and allowed on Aug. 27, 1993, issue feepaid Nov. 24, 1993.

The lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12c may be formed into a portionhaving folds 77c either before or after the removable upper portion 66cof the sleeve 12c has been detached from the remaining lower portion 68c(not shown). After the upper portion 66c of the sleeve 12c has beenremoved, the remaining lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12c nowconstitutes a decorative cover 74c. The decorative cover 74c, as notedcomprises a plurality of overlapping folds 77c. The cover 74c may beremovable from the pot 30c, or may be firmly connected to the outersurface 38c of the pot 30c by a bonding material 54c disposed, as notedabove, either on the outer surface 38c of the pot 30c or on the innersurface 24c of the sleeve 12c.

It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thesleeve may have a portion which forms a skirt 86c (not shown), such thatwhen the removable upper portion 66c of the sleeve 12c is detached, adecorative plant cover 74c with a skirt 86c remains.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 22-29

FIGS. 22-29 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. The plant package 10d illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method are constructed exactly the same as the plantpackage 10c shown in FIGS. 18-21 and described in detail previously,except that the vertical perforations 72d extend below thecircumferential perforations 70d into the lower portion 68d, the pot 30dis used and exposed, an underlying second decorative plant cover 96(identical to the previously described plant cover 74 or, alternatively,either a flower pot cover known in the art, or, in a furtheralternative, the pot 30d), and is contained within the sleeve 12d, andthe circumferential perforations 70d comprise two parallel lines ofcircumferential perforations 70d (only one line of circumferentialperforations designated by the numeral 70d). A ribbon 90d and bow 92dare utilized in this embodiment and method, and may comprise any ribbon90d and/or bow 92d shown and/or described herein, or known in the art.

The sleeve 12d may be completely removed, except for the ribbon 90d andbow 92d section. The ribbon 90d may extend about the second decorativeplant cover 96, as shown in FIG. 24, in a non-crimped condition.Alternatively, the ribbon 90d may extend about the second plant cover 96in a crimped condition, as shown in FIG. 25, and as previously describedherein.

Alternatively, the upper portion 66d of the sleeve 12d may be removed,by any method described herein, and the lower portion 68d of the sleeve12d may remain about at least a portion of the second plant cover 96(not shown or pot 30d) as a decorative plant cover 74d (FIGS. 26-27). Ina further alternative, the lower portion 68d of the sleeve 12d isremoved while the upper portion 66d remains in place, forming a skirt86d (FIGS. 28-29). The upper portion 66d comprises a plurality ofdecorative sections 97 (only one section designated 97) defined by aplurality of decorative perforations 97' (only one perforationdesignated 97). The decorative perforations 97' are torn away in amethod previously described herein and known in the art, leaving thedecorative sections 97 in the upper portion 66d of the sleeve 12d. Instill a further alternative, no second decorative plant cover 96 isutilized, that is, only the pot 30d with the floral grouping 46d thereinis used. The upper portion 66d of the sleeve 12d is removed via anymethod described herein, leaving the ribbon 90d and/or bow 92d as wellas the lower portion 68d of the sleeve 12d which together with theribbon 90d and/or bow 92d forms a decorative plant cover 74d about thepot 30d (FIGS. 26-27). It will be appreciated that the sleeve 12d mayalso be formed with a closed second end, as shown and described indetail herein previously.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 30-32

FIGS. 30-32 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. The plant package 10e illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method are constructed exactly the same as the plantpackage 10d shown in FIGS. 22-29 and described in detail previously,except that the sleeve 12e comprises only the upper portion 66e and aribbon 90e and bow 92e, the bow 92e comprises a pull bow 98 having apull portion 100 attached to the upper portion 66e of the sleeve 12e, sothat when the sleeve 12e is removed, the pull portion 100 pulls the pullbow 98 into a plurality of decorative loops (shown schematically usingfour loops shown in FIG. 32). The pull portion 100 is detachable fromthe pull bow 98 once the pull bow 98 is formed into the plurality ofloops. The ribbon 90e may comprise any ribbon shown and/or describedherein.

In a method of use, the upper portion 66e of the sleeve 12e is detachedby any method described herein. The pull portion 100 causes ribbonwithin the pull bow 98 to gather into the plurality of decorative loops,the beginning of this operation being shown in FIG. 31, as the upperportion 66e of the sleeve 12e is pulled away. The pull portion 100 isdetached from the pull bow 98 by any method known by those havingordinary skill in the art, leaving a second decorative plant cover 96ehaving a ribbon 90e extending thereabout, and having a multiple looppull bow 98, as illustrated in FIG. 32. It will be appreciated that theribbon 90e may crimp the second decorative plant cover 96d, aspreviously described herein. Further, it will be appreciated that theribbon 90e and/or pull bow 98 may be utilized with any embodiment shownand/or described herein. In such variations, the pull portion 100 of thepull bow 98 may be attached to the upper portion 66e of the sleeve 12e,the lower portion 68e of the sleeve 12e, or may be unattached, so thatan operator may pull the pull section 100 to form the pull bow 98without detaching any portion of the sleeve 12e, or only the upperportion 66e, or, in a further alternative, only the lower portion 68d.

As shown in FIGS. 30-32, the plant package 10e comprises a pot 30e and aplant cover 96e which is disposed about the pot 30e. It will beunderstood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the plant cover96e shown in FIGS. 30-32 is only one of a number of versions of plantcovers which may be employed in the invention described herein. Inparticular, the plant cover 96e may be formed from a sheet of materialwhich is formed into a cover about the outer surface of the pot 30eeither by hand or automatically, as previously described herein. Theplant cover 96e may or may not further comprise a skirt. The plant cover96e may be a preformed plant cover such as one produced by the methoddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, incorporated by reference above.The plant cover 96e may have a plurality of overlapping folds asindicated in FIGS. 30-32. Alternatively, the body of the plant cover 96emay be substantially free of overlapping folds and may have theappearance of a sleeve. The bottom of the plant cover 96e may beflattened, gussetted, or simply sealed along an edge.

The plant cover 96e may have a bonding material 54e (not shown) disposedupon a portion thereof, including either the inner surface 42e' or outersurface 38e' or both the inner 42e', surface and outer surface 38e', forattaching either to the pot 30e, or to the sleeve 12e, or to both thepot 30d and the sleeve 12e. Alternatively, the plant cover 96e may befree of a bonding material 54e. The sleeve 12e applied to the pot30e/plant cover 74e assembly may have a bonding material 54e disposedeither on the inner surface 24e or the outer surface 20e, or both theinner surface 24e and outer surface 20e, for bonding to the plant cover96e. Alternatively, the sleeve 12e may be free of a bonding material 54eon any surface thereof. Although the sleeve 12e in FIGS. 30-32 is shownas having a pull bow 98, it will be understood by one of ordinary skillin the art that the sleeve 12e may be free of a pull bow 98 and thatwhich a portion of the sleeve 12e is detached, the portion of the sleeve12e that may be left surrounding the plant cover 96e may simply functionto cause the plant cover 96e to be bound more firmly about the outersurface 38e' of the plant cover 96e, or it may provide a decorativefunction as well as described elsewhere herein.

As noted herein, the sleeve 12 may have perforations in various patternsto facilitate removal of portions or a portion of the sleeve 12 or ofthe entire sleeve 12. The sleeve 12 may have other means as describedelsewhere herein for facilitating the removal of a portion or portionsof the sleeve 12, or of the entire sleeve 12.

In a final embodiment (not shown), the plant package 10 may comprise apot 30 having a floral grouping 46, and the sleeve 12 may comprise onlythe lower portion 68 (the sleeve 12 having no perforations therein, ordetaching elements), a portion of the sleeve near the first end 14 andopening 22 extending away from the sleeve 12, said portion forming adecorative skirt 86 when positioned about the pot 30. The sleeve 12 ispositionable about the pot 30 and the sleeve 12 closely surrounds andencompasses the pot 30 when positioned about the pot 30. It will beunderstood that either the sleeve 12 and/or the skirt 86 may haveoverlapping folds 77 or gussets (not shown) which permit the formationof the skirt 86. Alternatively, no overlapping folds 77 or gussets maybe utilized. In a further alternative, a wider portion of the sleeve 12may be cut from the material 56 forming the sleeve 12, which assists inthe formation of the skirt 86. The decorative skirt 86 is positionableit differing angles, as described previously herein. It will beappreciated that the sleeve 12 may be provided with a bonding material54 disposed thereupon, the pot 30 may be provided with a bondingmaterial 54 disposed thereupon, or both the sleeve 12 and the pot 30 mayhave a bonding material 54 disposed thereupon, as previously describedherein. Further, the skirt 86 may also have a bonding material 54disposed thereupon, on either surface of the decorative skirt 86.

In a method of use, the pot 30 is positioned within the sleeve 12, aspreviously described herein, and the combination of the sleeve 12 andthe decorative skirt 86 form a decorative plant cover 74. It will beappreciated that at least a portion of the plant cover 74 substantiallysurrounds and encompasses the pot 30.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the variouscomponents, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps orthe sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of covering a pot having an outersurface and containing a floral grouping, comprising the stepsof:providing a flattened preformed flexible tubular sleeve comprising anadhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof,said preformed flexible tubular sleeve being positionable about the pot;disposing the pot within the preformed flexible tubular sleeve, whereina portion of the preformed flexible tubular sleeve is positionedadjacent the pot, and bondingly connecting said portion of the preformedflexible tubular sleeve to the outer surface of the pot via the adhesiveor cohesive bonding material on the preformed flexible tubular sleevewherein said portion of the preformed flexible tubular sleeve closelyconforms to the outer surface of the pot; and wherein said portion ofthe preformed flexible tubular sleeve is positioned about the pot andconnected thereto such that said portion of the preformed flexibletubular sleeve remains disposed about the pot and substantiallysurrounds and encompasses the pot.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein inthe step of providing a preformed flexible tubular sleeve, the preformedflexible tubular sleeve is further defined as having a first end, asecond end, an outer periphery which forms an outer surface, thepreformed flexible tubular sleeve having an opening which intersectsboth the first and second end forming an inner surface defined by aninner periphery which forms a retaining space.
 3. The method of claim 2wherein in the step of providing a preformed flexible tubular sleevehaving an opening, the opening intersects the first end and the secondend is closed.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providinga preformed flexible tubular sleeve, the preformed flexible tubularsleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consistingof paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, foil, polymerfilm, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), burlap, cloth,and any combination thereof.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein in thestep of providing a preformed flexible tubular sleeve, the preformedflexible tubular sleeve further comprises a thickness in a range ofbetween about 0.1 mil and about 30 mil.
 6. The method of claim 1 whereinin the step of providing a preformed flexible tubular sleeve, thepreformed flexible tubular sleeve further comprises a material havingtwo or more layers.
 7. The method claim 1 wherein in the step ofproviding a preformed flexible tubular sleeve, the preformed flexibletubular sleeve further comprises an extension, the extension having atleast one aperture.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step ofproviding a preformed flexible tubular sleeve, the preformed flexibletubular sleeve further comprises a ribbon and a bow.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein in the step of providing a pot, the pot furthercomprises an upper end, a lower end, and an outer periphery forming anouter surface, the pot having an opening which intersects the upper endforming an inner surface and defined by an inner periphery which forms apot retaining space.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step ofproviding a pot, the pot is a flower pot.
 11. The method of claim 1wherein in the step of providing a floral grouping, the floral groupingfurther comprises the group consisting of growing medium, botanicalitems, propagules, and any combination thereof.
 12. A method of coveringa pot having an outer surface and having an adhesive or cohesive bondingmaterial disposed upon a portion thereof and containing a floralgrouping, comprising the steps of:providing a flattened preformedflexible tubular sleeve which is positionable about the pot; disposingthe pot within the preformed flexible tubular sleeve, wherein a portionof the preformed flexible tubular sleeve is positioned adjacent the pot,and bondingly connecting said portion of the preformed flexible tubularsleeve to the outer surface of the pot via the adhesive or cohesivebonding material on the pot, wherein said portion of the preformedflexible tubular sleeve closely conforms to the outer surface of thepot; and wherein said portion of the preformed flexible tubular sleeveis positioned about the pot and connected thereto such that said portionof the preformed flexible tubular sleeve remains disposed about the potand substantially surrounds and encompasses the pot.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein in the step of providing a preformed flexible tubularsleeve, the preformed flexible tubular sleeve is further defined ashaving a first end, a second end, an outer periphery which forms anouter surface, the preformed flexible tubular sleeve having an openingwhich intersects both the first and second end forming an inner surfacedefined by an inner periphery which forms a retaining space.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a preformingflexible tubular sleeve having an opening, the opening intersects thefirst end and the second end is closed.
 15. The method of claim 12wherein in the step of providing a preformed flexible tubular sleeve,the preformed flexible tubular sleeve is constructed from a materialselected from the group consisting of paper (untreated or treated in anymanner), cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven orsynthetic or natural), burlap, cloth, and any combination thereof. 16.The method of claim 12 wherein in the step of providing a preformedflexible tubular sleeve, the preformed flexible tubular sleeve furthercomprises a thickness in a range of between about 0.1 mil and about 30mil.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein in the step of providing apreformed flexible tubular sleeve, the preformed flexible tubular sleevefurther comprises a material having two or more layers.
 18. The methodclaim 12 wherein in the step of providing a preformed flexible tubularsleeve, the preformed flexible tubular sleeve further comprises anextension, the extension having at least one aperture.
 19. The method ofclaim 12 wherein in the step of providing a preformed flexible tubularsleeve, the preformed flexible tubular sleeve further comprises a ribbonand a bow.
 20. The method of claim 12 wherein in the step of providing apot, the pot further comprises an upper end, a lower end, and an outerperiphery forming an outer surface, the pot having an opening whichintersects the upper end forming an inner surface and defined by aninner periphery which forms a pot retaining space.
 21. The method ofclaim 12 wherein in the step of providing a preformed flexible tubularsleeve, the preformed flexible tubular sleeve further comprises abonding material.
 22. The method of claim 12 wherein in the step ofproviding a floral grouping, the floral grouping further comprises thegroup consisting of growing medium, botanical items, propagules, and anycombination thereof.